Ask Instructor David Barrett

I've been busting a gut trying to figure out how to play 'Busy Man' (found in Aki Kumar's submission number 5, part 4 - 'Joe Filisko song 2, as well as on IC Special).

I think it goes like this: 2, 123 (wah), 1, 2", 1, x, 3'/4. continue reading...

Just double checking, but it looks like (from the marks you made on My Blues at my last lesson) that you don't try to add tremelo on top of a note that's dipped and bent like that--or are you just sparing me for now on that?

I have never had so much respect for you playing and "instruction' as I have every time I work on Quiet World. When you said it would take 6 - 9 months, you weren't just whistling Dixie. This is one tough baby for this cowboy to get to the "submit for review" stage. When I listen to my recording of trying to play it at full speed I just don't get the clarity of articulation. At 85% it is better but still not where it should be. continue reading...

Hi David!

I'm practicing regularly everyday for have a cup more airtight,
sometimes I test it with trying to do bending for example in the 2 draw,
and if the bending inpossible the cup is good.

It's a good test to do or the bending impossibility don't mean a good cup?

Thanks

Best Regards

Marko

David, just listened to "Butter Strut." NICE!

Let me ask you something: I've been spending some time experimenting with my harp, trying to duplicate guitar solo riffs and mimicing guitar solo sound. I'm running my harp mic through different effects pedals and processors, trying to find a unique style. Along those lines, I'm running into some challenges - mostly due to the tuning, note availability, and bend ability on non-bendable notes. (My newbie-izm is also coming into play, but I'm working on that, too). continue reading...

David,
I love Marks song....
should I be slapping and pulling those chords or just using...'hahs"..on the draw/blows?
In otherwords should the chords be articulated?
Thanks!

Feelin' Good is already available on transcription with your Serious Fun CD if desired. But.....is there any chance that the Butter Strut (from your recent concert) and Matchstick (from your History of the Blues CD and recent concert) will be available on transcription any time in the near or distant future?

Now the "tip of the day" is a great thing and a constant reminder to me of how much there is to learn and keep in mind BUT........ the Video Tips have taken it to another level. To see and hear what you are describing is awesome. Another lesson in how I need to learn to actively listen to music.

And for what its worth - the Feelin' for the Blues presentation is absolutely "sick" - a term I've learned from the young 'uns means awesome!!! that was some demonstration of 3rd, 2nd and 1st position playing Thanks!!

Holy cow! That Butter Strut track on the harmonicamasterclass YouTube page is a real killer and clearly a great (and unexpected) groove to have in your repertoire. Is it an original composition and, if it is, how did you come up with the head and the song structure? It's very different than any of the blues structures I'm getting used to!

Dave,
I just watched the Tom Ball interviews. I have to admit I had no knowlege of him or his work till now.
He described teaching himself the harp from the ground up... before the days of books on harmonica..or even finding teachers. I dont know how he did it , his motivation must have been unearthly.
I know I could not do it.
I really liked Tom.. and as always your interviews are so helpful for all of us as students. continue reading...